Latest news with #AmericanAirlines
New York Times
27 minutes ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Airlines and Trump Administration Backpedal on Protections for Travelers With Wheelchairs
In January, airline passengers who use wheelchairs saw brighter horizons ahead for their often-difficult travels. A new rule adopted by the federal government meant that airlines would expand support for disabled passengers throughout their trips and enhance training for employees who assist them, and carriers would be compelled to replace wheelchairs that were lost or damaged and offer loaners promptly, among other changes. But shortly after President Trump was inaugurated, the Transportation Department moved to delay enforcement of the rule — initially until March, then until August — and now, airlines are challenging one of its provisions in court. When the government issued the rule in December, supporters heralded it as a win after decades of advocacy, saying it struck a blow for the rights of disabled travelers, for whom inconsistent help, physical discomfort and damaged wheelchairs were unfortunate norms of flying. 'Those rules were a huge win for wheelchair users,' said Seth McBride, a wheelchair rugby athlete who lives in Washington State. 'It felt like the D.O.T. was starting to listen to the disability community,' he said, adding that he felt that airlines were being forced to take the needs of wheelchair users seriously and provide the same level of service they provide to everybody else. Now the rule is on notably shakier ground. Airlines for America, a trade association that represents the country's biggest airlines, joined by member carriers American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, has filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that the Transportation Department overstepped its statutory authority in adopting the measure. The petitioners argued in an opening brief filed last week that the rule wrongly makes airlines liable for damaged wheelchairs even when they have not discriminated against disabled travelers, such as if mishandling was an 'act of God' or beyond the airline's control. One example they cited was if the wheelchair was in poor condition before the start of the trip. In those cases, they should not be held liable, they said, allowing that the rest of the rule's provisions could be left in place. The lawsuit 'simply seeks to ensure that D.O.T. acts within the scope of its authority to regulate only acts within airlines' control and responsibility,' the brief reads. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Iraqi News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
US airlines suspend flights to UAE and Qatar
Dubai ( – The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel is putting Gulf countries—including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—at heightened risk, leading to widespread disruption in regional air travel. In response to growing security concerns, American Airlines has suspended its daily flights between the United States and Doha, Qatar, after the U.S. embassy in Doha advised citizens and diplomatic staff to remain vigilant and maintain a low profile. As Washington mulls whether to assist in the war, satellite data indicates that dozens of U.S. military aircraft are no longer visible on the runway at a key American airbase in Qatar. This might be a preventative measure to protect the aircraft from prospective Iranian missile attacks. United Airlines also halted its daily route between Dubai and Newark Liberty International Airport, pledging to resume operations when conditions improve. Air France-KLM and Air Canada have canceled several flights this week to destinations across the Gulf, including Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha, amid the deteriorating security environment. Meanwhile, flights to and from Iraq remain suspended by airlines such as Emirates, flydubai, Middle East Airlines (MEA), and others, as Iraqi airspace remains closed due to the ongoing regional threat.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
United, American suspend some flights from U.S. to Middle East
Some airlines have continued to suspend flights between the United States and the Middle East amid the conflict between Israel and Iran. United Airlines said it will pause its daily flights between New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai "due to conflict in the region." The airline did not say when flights between the two destinations might resume. United only flies to Dubai through Newark Airport. American Airlines said it would temporarily suspend flights between Philadelphia International Airport and Doha, Qatar. The suspension will last through June 22, an American Airlines spokesperson told CBS News. The last flight from Philadelphia to Doha before the suspension took off early Thursday morning, the airline said. Delta Air Lines said last week that it had suspended flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tel Aviv, Israel. The suspension is currently set to last until Aug. 31, the airline said. Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel's major airport, is currently closed. U.S. airlines do not fly to Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, Iran's largest airport. International airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Lufthansa, have canceled some routes in the region, according to the air travel news site AviationA2Z. Other flight activity has been suspended in the days since Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion" against Iran. Israel has been bombing nuclear and military targets in Iran since late last week, claiming intelligence shows that Iran is close to developing nuclear weapons. Iran has responded with a barrage of retaliatory missile strikes. Following Israel's launch of Operation Rising Lion, airspace was closed over Israel, Jordan, Iran and Iraq, and Israel's Ministry of Transportation said airspace would remain closed until further notice. President Trump has demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender." Mr Trump is weighing whether to strike Iran and formally join Israel's air campaign, a senior intelligence source and a Defense Department official told CBS News on Wednesday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that the president will make a decision on whether to order a strike within the next two weeks. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem told U.S. citizens in Israel on Thursday that the State Department was making plans to "assist with private U.S. citizens' departure from Israel." Some have been evacuated aboard cruise ships. The State Department recently placed a Level 4 travel advisory on Israel, telling Americans not to travel there due to "armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest." Iran has been under a "Do Not Travel" advisory — the highest level — "due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens and wrongful detention," the State Department said. SpaceX Starship upper stage blows up Hurricane Erick approaches Mexico with destructive winds, major storm surge Biden to speak at Juneteenth event in Texas
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
United, American, Delta suspending flights to Middle East amid Israel-Iran conflict
Major U.S. airlines have suspended some flights to the Middle East amid the Israel-Iran conflict. Nearly a week ago, Israel bombarded Iran's nuclear facilities and hit military targets in the region, killing several of Tehran's top military leaders and leading nuclear scientists in the process. Iran has launched heavy retaliatory strikes against Israel. The Independent previously reported Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have suspended flights to Tel Aviv amid the strikes and now U.S. carriers are grounding flights to other Middle Eastern countries as the conflict intensifies. United Airlines suspended flights between Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and Dubai Thursday, citing, 'conflict in the region,' CBS News reported. The carrier said it would lift the suspension 'when it's safe,' per Bloomberg. American Airlines also suspended its flights from Philadelphia International Airport to Doha, Qatar, Thursday until June 22, according to CBS News and Bloomberg. 'We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation further as needed,' American Airlines said, per Bloomberg. Dubai and Doha are the two of the most important travel hubs in the Middle East, connecting the region to the U.S., Europe and the Asia Pacific region. As the Israel-Iran conflict continues, with Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz vowing that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei 'cannot continue to exist,' President Donald Trump said he will make a decision on whether to strike Iranian nuclear facilities within the next two weeks. Israel is the U.S.'s biggest ally in the region, but Trump says he has been working on a diplomatic solution to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' Trump in a statement read by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Thursday.
Bloomberg
12 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump to Decide on Iran Strike ‘Within Two Weeks'
Good morning. Israel hits more Iranian nuclear sites as Donald Trump dangles a decision on a US strike. Chinese companies line up in droves to list in Hong Kong. And Pan Am is reborn. Listen to the day's top stories. Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether to strike Iran, the White House said, adding that the president believes diplomacy with Tehran is still an option. Meantime, Israel said it destroyed around half of Iran's missile launchers and warned its attacks may 'create the conditions' to bring down Iran's government. Satellite images show Iran is racing to get its oil out and filling storage tanks. American Airlines and United became the latest carriers to suspend some flights to busy hubs in the Middle East.
